Cool It! Climate Change Card Game

How to Play

Setup

The game requires three or four players; four is ideal. If played in a classroom, the teacher can set up multiple groups of students with one deck each. To accommodate more players in a group, simply combine two decks.

Each group designates a dealer. The dealer separates the 12 Sector Cards from the deck and gives each player one for each of the three sectors: Energy (blue), Transportation (black), and Threatened Forests (green). Players put the sector cards face up in front of them on the table where everyone can clearly see them.

The dealer then puts the rest of the deck face down in a drawing pile and leaves space for a discard pile next to it.

Playing Card Types

Solution Cards have a blue thermometer intwo corners. Energy solutions have a blue background, Transportation solutions have a black background, and Threatened Forests solutions have a green background. There are more solution cards than problem cards in the game.

Problem Cards have a red thermometer in two corners. Energy problems have a blue background, Transportation problems have a black background, and Threatened Forests problems have a green background.

Special Cards have an orange back-ground. Players should follow the instructions on each of these cards to determine how to use them.

Object of the Game

The first player to have two solution cards on each of his/her three sector cards is the winner.

How to Play

The player to the left of the dealer goes first, and play rotates clockwise.

On their first turn, players draw three cards from the top of the deck and hold them in their hands, making sure the other players can't see them. Players can play as many of the cards in their hand as they want during their turn.

At the beginning of each subsequent turn, players can discard as many of the cards in their hand as they want, then draw enough new cards from the top of the deck to make a hand of three again. (Players must always start a turn with three cards.) Once players have drawn a new card they cannot exchange it for another card until their next turn.

Players can only play cards during their own turn, not during another

player's turn. When a solution card is played, it is placed face up on the player's matching sector, where everyone can see it. Solution cards can only be played on the matching sector.

Problem cards are played on an opponent's matching sector, which will result in either:

removing a solution card that the opponent already has on that sector, or

forcing the opponent to use a solution card for that sector to remove the problem card on his/her next turn.

When removing a solution card from an opponent, both the solution card and the problem card go on the discard pile. Otherwise, leave the problem card on the opponent's matching sector. To remove a problem card, players must play a solution card for the matching sector; both the solution card and the problem card go on the discard pile.

When playing a special card, follow the instructions printed on the card. (Some special cards can be played on any sector, but others can only be played on a specific sector.) Special cards can be removed by problem or solution cards for the matching sector, just like any card.

It is possible to run out of cards while playing the game. If that happens, the dealer simply shuffles the discard pile and uses it as a new deck.

After one player wins, the others can play for second and third place, but it's a lot easier to start a new game.

Tips for winning

Players should pay attention to how many solution cards the other players have placed on their sector cards, and prevent the player in the lead from laying down two solutions on each sector. If no one stops that player, he/she could win on just the second turn!

We Need Your Supportto Make Change Happen

We can reduce global warming emissions and ensure communities have the resources they need to withstand the effects of climate change—but not without you. Your generous support helps develop science-based solutions for a healthy, safe, and sustainable future.